While you can grow granadilla from seeds, it is generally easier and quicker to grow them from cuttings. You will therefore need mature vine from which you can take some stem cuttings.
Ensure you also have sharp scissors to do the cuttings. You will also need some cutting trays with large cells or individual ports. Fill the trays with moist and fine coir. You can also use peat moss or good quality all purpose potting soil. Granadilla cuttings develop roots easily and are not fussy about the soil. Just make sure you use good balance of aeration and water retention.
Making Cuttings
First make sure your cuttings have two nodes. You need two nodes because roots will develop from the lower node and additional stems from the upper node. The exception to this rule is if you take a terminal cutting. Terminal cuttings are taken from the very end of the stem.
Only take from mature healthy mother plants. Cut larger leaves because large surface can lead to excess transpiration and as a result water loss. Also remove any flowers and tendrils so that the cuttings can invest all its energy and resources in root development.
Planting cuttings
You will need to plant your cuttings in trays or pots as soon as possible after you cut them. Make sure your trays are filled with the medium of your choice. Gently pack the filling down. It needs to be compact enough to support the cutting but aerated enough to allow for other quick root growth.
Granadilla cutting root readily therefore its not essential to use rooting hormone. You can gently score the bottoms of the cutting with your fingernail to create a larger surface area for root growth.
Caring of cuttings
One of the important things you need to consider especially if you have taken numerous cuttings is to plant them in correct orientation. Make sure you plant the basal part of the cutting into the soil.
It is essential to keep your cuttings in a humid environment to prevent dehydration. This can be achieved through the use of sprays, mix beds or propagation chambers. After a couple of weeks you can gently tag on your cuttings and if you feel resistance it means the roots have started growing.
